Lewiston Police debuts pharmaceutical drop-off box

by jmaloni

Submitted

Fri, Nov 1st 2013 08:45 pm

The Lewiston Police Department recently
received a pharmaceutical drop-off box from the Niagara County Refuse
Department. LPD Chief Chris Salada reports area residents can now visit the
Lewiston Police Department at 4059 Creek Road between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday
through Friday and leave their unwanted medications.

"This is a great initiative for a couple
of very important reasons," Salada said. "Allowing residents a simple and
anonymous way to dispose of their medications will result in less poisons being
flushed down the toilet, therefore helping the environment. It also removes
medications from residences, eliminating the temptation of drug seekers and
hopefully keeping it off the street."

The LPD drop-off location is the second of
three drop-off boxes in Niagara County. The Niagara County Sheriff's Office
provides a drop-off box just inside the jail entrance, and Niagara Falls Police
Department is slated to have their box in service soon.

Salada, pictured, noted the service is for
the residents only and not for doctors' offices, veterinarians or pharmacies.
Acceptable items include controlled substances, outdated medications, unwanted
medications, over-the-counter medications or any pharmaceutical waste that is
no longer desired/wanted or is expired. Needles/sharps or mercury-containing
devices will not be accepted.

"Residents can come into our office, drop
off their unwanted medications without any questions or paperwork to be filled
out," Salada said. "These medications are ultimately secured and transported by
law enforcement to Covanta in Niagara Falls, where all contents are
incinerated."

Any questions about the program can be
addressed by calling the LPD at 716-754-8477. (photo by Terry Duffy)